Machine for the manufacture of wall board



July 17, 1923. 1,461,724

s. COOPER MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF WALL BOARD Filed April 3, 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 V, I Snueufoz Www gw July 17, I923. 1.461.724

s. COOPER MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF WALL BOARD Filed April 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 19 his Alia/"n 6y a M] w July 17, 1923. 1,461.724

s. COOPER MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF WALL BOARD Filed April 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I f JW/ or July 17, 1923. 1,461,724

r s. COOPER MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF WALL BOARD Filed April 5, 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 t a we??? fi w July 17, 1923. 1.461.724

s. COOPER MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF WALL BOARD Filed April 5 1920 5 ShOQtS-SIIOQ'C 5 ETLHB.

5 his HITORIIFY Patented July 17, 1923.

UNITED STATES 1,461,724 PATENT OFFICE.

SIMON COOPER, 01' BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO ALLISON BISHOPBIG, 01' CINCINNATI, OHIO.

MACHINE I03 THE KLHUTAOTUBE OF BOARD.

Application fled s in 2, 1920. Serial 1105871904.

'Toallwlmu'tmaycmwem:

Be it known that I, Snares-Coors a citisen of the United Sta residing at rookln,intheco of ings and State of ,e York, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Machines for the Manufacture of Wall Board, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to wall board and to automatic apparatus for the manufacture of the same.

The objects of the invention are to pro vide a practical durable and relatively 11 hi; but strong wall board, so constructed 1: at the plaster will firmly adhere thereto and to provide practical and efficient mechanism for rapidly and automatically manufacturin the board.

he invention involves numerous novel features of construction, combinatidns, relations and arrangements ofparts, as set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming 9. art hereofand in which the invention is isclosed in practical commercial forms, it being understood; however, that the invention IS not limited to the particular forms disclosed, but is of broader scope, as will be clear from the appended claims.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of the machine. with parts indicated as broken away.

Figure 2 is an enla vertical sectional view of the lath and we assembling mechamsm.

Figure 3 is a further enlarged and sec tion-al view illustrating details of the lath feeding and positioning devices.

Figure 4 is a broken view of the assembling head structure as slightly modified in certain respects.

Figure 5 is a composite sectional and face view of the carrier wheel for the spacing fingers.

Figure 6 is a face view and Figure 7 is a sectional view of the adjustable member for supporting the finger actuating cams.

Figure 8 is a broken plan view of the assembling head structure illustrating sh ht modifications in the method of drivm t e rollers which press the latbs'onto the rum.

Figure 9 is a broken detail view of a section of the completed wall board.

My improved well board as shown in the view last referred to comprises a web 10 of heavypaper, cardboard or other suitable backing material having secured to the face thereo in a relation the strips 11 forming the aths to which the plaster or other construction material is applied. These laths are usually in the form of wooden strips and according to a preferred embodiment they are formed with beveled side edges 12 and applied with the narrower face thereof contact with the backing so as to provide the undercut dovetail plaster ke mg grooves 131 ese lathe are secured to the web in properly spaced relation preferably by means of a suitable adhesive and by mechanism like that to be now described.

In the general view, Figure 1, the web 10 is shown as passing over and about feed rolls 14 16 and then over uide rolls 16, 17 to an a esive-apglying to 18, the web bemg drawn over t e top of the adhesive roll by the cooperating pinch rolls 19, 20 and passing from there between the cooperating press rolls 21, 22 which operate to apply the aths to the web.

The guide roll 16 is shown as driven from the main shaft 28 by a belt or chain connection 24 and the feed roll 15 is indiouted as driven from the shaft 25 of feed roll 16- by a belt or chain connection 26, the other feed roll 14 being connected with feed roll 15 by suitable earin 27. The lower pinch roll 19 is in icate as driven from the guide roll shaft 25 by the chain of gearing 28, 29, 30, 31, the last gear 31 ing fast on the pinch roll shaft 32 and the cooperating or being fast on the shaft 33 of the ad esive-epplyin roll. This atrangement causes the pin roll to rotate in a direction to draw the web forward while the adhesive roll rotates in the reverse direction and, therefore wipes the adhesive on the imder face of the web and in a direction reverse to the travel thereof. As the web travels around the upper pinch roll 20 it is reversed so as to bring the adhesive coated surface uppermost.

Asphalt or other suits le adhesive may be em loyed for securing the slats on the web and said adhesivemey be applied either hot or cold, depending upon its nature and also upon the c a racteristics of the lathe and the webbing. In the illustration I have indicated the adhesive as so ported in a heated tank or reservoir 34 mt In which the adhesiveapplying roll rotates. lhe use of ashaltic adhesive is preferred on account of its lasting, preservative and weather-proof qualities The amount of adhesive is controlled in the machine illustrated by relativel adjusting the pinch rolls between whic the adhesive coated web passes. For this purpose I have shown the upper pinch roll 20 as journaled in swinging gns 35 pivoted on the main frame at :51} 1W justed at the opposite ends of thc rollby the screws 37 operated by the hand wheels 38. It will be evident that by the adjustment of these screws the space between the rolls may be increased or diminished to regulate the thickness of the film of adhesive and to control the rolls on t e web. The independent adjustment at the opposite ends of the rolls makes it possible to correct any irregularities that ma occur ,at this point.

he laths are supplied to the assemblin mechanism. by a conveyor indicated at 3 shown in Figure 1 as having a substantially horiz ontal portion 40 for receiving the laths and a downwardly inclined run 41 for carrying the same down beneath the fingers which transfer the laths over to the assembling roll 22. This conveyor is furthermore shown as provided with s aced studs or lugs 42 for holdin the lathe in definitely spaced relation'an as driven by a belt or s rocket connection 43 from the main drive aft 23.

The spaced laths are transferred from the conveyor chains 39 onto the upper ress roll 22 by transfer fin rs 44. These gers as shown articular y in Figures 2, 3 and 5 are sli 'ngly guided in substantially radially formed slots i5 provided in the concentric annular flanges 46, 47 on the carrier wheels 48. The spaein fingers are. slidingly confined in these 3 ots provided in the face of the carrier wheels by the overlying calm sup rts indicated at 49 in Figure 8 and who supports carry the cam tracks 50, 51 and 52 operating on the cam rolls 53 on the fingers for projecting and retractin the same in the guide slots. The cam tree 51 is shown as yieldingly mounted on the face of the cam support 49 as by means of a spring 54 so as to enable the projecting fingers to yield inwardly in the event of encountering an obstruction.

In the course of the travel from the conveyor chains over onto the assembling drum, the slats are supported on the bridge pieces 55 which extend from the end of the conveyor on a line gradually merging into the peri hery of the drum.

e drum is rovided with devices for holding the slats 1n the same spaced relation gripping effect exerted by these To insure positive engagement of the laths on the holding in I have illustrated at 58 presser w eels or forcing the slats down over the upstanding ins substantially at the point where the diets meet the peripheryof the drum. Theseimpaling rolls are shown in Figures 1, 3 and 8 as .journaled in the ends of the supporting arms 59 pivoted on the shaft 60 and as driven by sprocket chains 61 from the shaft 60 which is operated from the assembling drum by a gear 62 in mesh with the drum gear 63.

In Figure 4 the impaling rolls 58 are shown as supported by pivota arms 59 but in this instance the drive is accomplished from the shaft 60 through the medium of idlers 64: journaled on the supporting arms 59 and meshing at one side with gears65 fast on shaft 60 and at the opposite side with gears which are fast to the lmpaling rolls.

In both constructions the irhpaling rolls are shown'as yieldingly forced toward the drum by the springs 66 operat't on the roll supporting arms and which if esired, may be adjustable.

The laths after being this applied in the desired spaced relation to the asembl'zng drum are preferably positively held thereto in the course of the rotation of the drum by yieldable means comprising in the illustration the flexible chains 67 secured at their lower ends to the brackets 68 and extending from a point (Fig. 2) adjacent the pitch line of the two press rolls upwardly about the side and over the top of the upper roll where they pass over guide rolls 69 and 70, the weight 71 being shown as applied to the ends thereof for gieldingly holding the same under the desire tension. The ide rolls 69 for the upper ends of the hol ing chains are shown as mounted on the free ends of the swinging arms 59 (Fig. 8) so that the 5 rings 66 acting on said supporting arms a exert a certain tension on the guide chains.

The operation of the arts thus far described 15 as follows: e web of backing material is first advanced by the feed rolls 14 and 15, either or both of which may, if de sired, be heated as by means of steam for the purposes of drying the web or hea-tin it so asto'better tel", up the adhesive. Ast eweb are placed on the conve r 89 with the norstripper fingers pivoted on a shaft rower faces outward (Figs. 2 and 8) and are transferred by the transfer lingers in this relation over onto the u per portion of the assembling drum to w ch they are temporarily ailixed, 1n the spaced relation determined ,by'the spacing finge by means of the impaling wheels. The Is t bs are posilively held in this relation duringl the rotation of the drum by the surroun ng guard chains 67 and are released from such confinement at or before the point where the slats meet the adhesive ace of the web passin over the lower pres roll 21. The assemblmg roll thus serves as a means for reversing the slats so as, to bpiirg the narrower faces thereof into ehgiigement with the adhesiv on the web and the two rolls are so adjmmd as to exert sufiicient pressure to cause the lsths to firmly adhere to' the web.

For this latter purpose I' have shown the upper roll as journsled in sliding boxes 72 acted on by the springs 78.

The agsembled product issuing from 'between the two cooperating press elements is suitably guided out of the machine and may be cut in desired lengths;

At 74 in Figure 2 I have illustrated at the exit side of the drum and having pointed or beveled ends yieldingly hel dyulthe s rings 76 in the grooves 'I'Iqprovi in t e periphery of the drum. ese fingers operate to positively strip the slats from the drum and operate as guides to hold the slats down onto the web to whichth have just been applied, thus in effect, holding them in place while the adhesive is setting.

The edges or selv e portions 0 the product may be trimme as it leaves the machine by means of suitable saws or trimmers, indicated at 78 in Figure 1. 7

Provision is made in this invention for varying the spacin of the slots on the backing material and t is is accomplished in the machine illustrated by simpl varying the efl'eetive length of the trans er 8 I rs ll raising or lowering the carrier w wit res t to the cam mechanism which projects and retracts the fingers. In Figure 1 the carrier wheel shaft 79 is shown as sup- ,ported in spring -pressed boxes 80 working m guide slots in the supporting arms 81 which are pivoted at 82 andare'opcrated by hand wheels 83 through the medium of worm gearing 84 and screws 85. It will be evident that by operating the hand wheels 83 the supporting arms 81 may be swung one way spl cing conveyor or the other for the purpose of raising and lowering the carrier wheels and that this raising or lowering ofsuch wheels will ills crease or decrease the extent of projection of the transfer fingers. The-spacing at the ends of these fingers will be greater the further they are projected and hence, within the limits of the machine the slats may be applied to the assembling drum in any spaced relation desired. The transfer fingers thus operate as a variable spacin means for transferring the slats from t e definitely chains over onto the drum which is arranged to take the slots in the relation which they have been adjustedby the spec fingers and to a ply the same in such tron to the bee ng material. Another advantage of this specin adjustability of the transfer ii are is t at it onables the machine to ban e slats of difierent width and thicknes.

Details of a suitable form of drive gearing and adjustment mechanism for the carrier wheel are shown in Figure 4. In this view the carrier wheel shaft 79 is shown as pro vided with 9, ar 86 in mesh with a gear 87 on the shaft of the lath eonve or and these gears are held constantly in in of the adjustment of the carrier wheels by means of the links 88 pivoted at their op site ends to the shafts 82 and 79. In t is particular construction the boxings 80 of the shaft 79 are adjusted in guide slots 89 formed in the links 90 which are pivoted at their lower ends to the shaft 91 of the assembling drum and the adjustment is effected by the screw 92 operated from the hand wheel 93 through the wogm gearing 94..

Figure 4 also illustrates how the drum gear 63 and gear 62 me be maintained in proper relation irrcepec ive of the vertical yielding movementsrof the drum, the means rovided for this pur e. comprising spacmg links 95 connects at their upper ends with the drive shafting 60 and pivoted at their lower ends at 96 to the bearings 0r boxin for the drum shaft This upward r oiowargh shifting movemsnt of hthe shaftm is ownasop ytesrin 97? From thg construciih lf described, it wfil be apparent that the gearing of the entire assem ling head may be maintained in roper meshing engagement irrespective of e adjustments made.

It will be apparent that the machine may be operated to produce difierent styles and sizes of wall board and it will further be a parent that the wall board disclowd wh' a relatively inexpensive is thoroughly practical and desirable. In addition to ad usting the thickness of the film of adhesive. the mounting of the upper pinch roll disclosed enables said roll to be thrown back to facilitate the intrtfiuction of the web into the machine. Another .point which is quite imporirrespective tant in the operation of the machine is the tapering of the lower end of the chain supporting bracket 68 as shown in Figure 2, so as toenable the same teform a guide or guard extending quite close to the web adjacent to where the slats come into engagement with the web. This serves to maintain the slats under control substantially up to the time that they are actually impressed upon the backing material.

What I claim is:

1. In a wall board machine, cooperating press rolls, means for feeding between mi rolls a web supplied on one face thereof with adhesive, means for supplying laths in spaced relation to the adhesive side of said web and includin pins on one of the rolls for temporarily aiding the lathe in spaced relation and means for spaci and impaling the lathe in such spaced re ation on said pins.

2. In a wall board machine, cooperating press members one at least of which is s. rototing press roll provided with devices for temporarily holding laths in spaced relation, means for supplying a web between the rose members and means for stri ping the liiths from the holding devices 0 the roll.

3. In a wall board machine, cooperating press members one at least of which is a rotating press roll provided with devices for temporarily holding lathe in spaced relation, means for supp ying a web between the press members, means for stripping the lathe fromthe holdin devices of the roll and including yielding y supported fin gers eng g in coves in the press roll beneath the leve of the lathe carried thereby.

4. In a wall board machine, cooperating press members, one at least of which is a rotating roll, aced ins on said roll for temporarily ho ding at paling lathe indesired p etermined spaced apart relation on said pins and means for supplying a web between the press membars.

5. In a machine of the character described, a lath conveying roll having removable segments on the peripheral (p3:- tion thereof provided with outstan g points spaced to engage spaced lathe applied to the periphery of t e roll.

6. In a machine of the character de scribed, a lath conveying roll having removable segments on the peripheral ortion thereof provided with outstan ing points spaced to engage spaced lathe aplied to the periphery of the roll and means or forcibly pressing the lathe onto said spaced points.

7. In a machine of the character described, a lath conveying roll having removable segments on the peripheral rtion thereof provided with outstanr iiig lat-he from said holding means for im points spaced to engage spaced laths a plied to the periphery of the roll, meaiis or forcibly pressing the lathe onto said spaced points and means for stripping the laths from said hold points.

8. In a machine 0 the character described, 21 lath conveying noll provided with spaced projecting points on the pcriphery thereof, means located at one point about the periphery of the roll for forcmg lathe in spaced relation onto said points and means disposed at a difierent point about the roll for stripping the spaced points.

9. In a machine 0 the character described, a lath conveying roll provided with spaced projecting points on the periphery t ereof, means located at one point about the periphery of the roll for forcing laths in spaced relation onto said points, means disposed at a difierent point about the roll for stripping the need laths from said holding ints an including yieldi ly s'upporte strip 1' fingers, the roll ha vi ng grooves dispos below the level of the applied lathe to receive said fingers.

10. In a machine of the character described, a press bed, a prom roll cooperating therewith and provided with means for holding laths in spaced relation thereon, means for feedin a web between the bed and roll, a double guide extending about the. roll to a point adjacent the entry of the web between the cooperating press elements described and a stripper disposed at the opposite exit side of said elements for positively separating the lathe from the holdin devices on the roll.

11. In a wall card machine, a lath conveyi roll, a lath conveyor, spacing fingers or transferring the laths in spaced relation from the conveyor to said roll and means for varying the spacing of said fingers to thereby vary the spaced relation of the lathe carried by the roll.

12. In a machine of the character described, a conveyor provided with means for transporting laths in definite spaced relation, a conveyor for carrying the lathe in variously spaced relations, and transfer means interposed between said conveyors for changing the spacing of the laths during their period of travel from the definitely spacing conveyor to the variable spacing conveyor.

13. In a machine of the character described, a conveyor provided with means for transporting lathe in definite spaced relation, a conveyor for carrying the laths in variouslyspaced relations and adjustable means for transferring the lathe in dilferent desired spaced relations from the definitely spacing conveyor to the variable spacin conveyor.

14. n a machine of the character described, a conveyor provided with means for transporting laths in definite spaced relation, a conveyor for carrying the lathe in variously spaced relatio and transfer means interposed between sai conveyors for changing the spacing of the lathe during their period of travel from the definitely spacing conveyor to the variable spacing conv'eyor, said variable conve or comprisinf a rotating provi ed with space projectin th impalm points.

15. In a mac e of the c aracter described, a conveor provided with means for transporting aths in definite spaced relation, a conveyor for carrying the lathe in variously spaced relations, means interposed between said conveyors for changing the spacing of the laths duri their eriod of travel from the definite y.spac1ng conveyor to the variable spacing conveyor guild including variably spaceable traveling scribed, a conveyor provided with means for I transporting laths 1n definite s aced relation, a conveyor for carrying't e laths in variously spaced relations, means for transfierring the latbs in the desired spaced relation from the definitely spacing convelyor to the variable spacing conve or and inc riding variabl spaceable trav fin an yieldab e supporting means or sai fingers.

18. In a machine of the character described, a conveyor provided with means for transporting laths 1n definite s aced relation, a conveyor forcarrying t e laths in variously spaced relations means for transferring the lathe in the spaced relation from the definitely spacing conveyor tothe variable spacing conveyor, including variabl spaceab e traveling fin rs and a gicldab e supporting cam operating on said n rs.

l In a machineof the character described, a conveyor provided with means for transporting laths 1n definite s aced relation, a conveyor for carrying e laths in various] spaced relations, means for transferring the lathe in the desired spaced rela tion from the definitely spacing conveyor to' the variable s acing conveyor and including a bridge or su porting the laths and spaced fingers trave ng over said bridge.

20. In a machine of the character degers. 16. In a machine of the character described, lath spacing and transferring means comprising a whee provided with substantially radial mounted in said guide-ways and cam m msm operating on said fingers to reject and retract the same in the course of t e rotation cludinga section yieldably supported to enable the projectin fingers to yield inwardly.

2 2. In a machine of the character descrlbed, lath spacin and transferring means comprisin a whee provided with substantially radial guide-we s, projecting fingers mounted in said gui e-ways, cam mechanism operating on said fingers to project and retract the same in the course of the rotation of said wheel and means for relatively adjusting the wheel and cam mechagism to'vary the extent of projection of the In a machine of the character described, lath spacing and transferring mechanism comprising a rotating support provided with guide passages, fingers guided 1n said passages, a support adjustable with respect to end rotar su mechanism on said a justa b e support for operating on the fingers aforesaid.

24; In a machine of the character de scribed, lath spacing and transferring mechanism comprising a rotating support provided with guide passages, fingers guided in said passag a support adjustable with respect to Bali rota suzport, cam mechanism on said adjust is up ort, for operating on the fingers aforesaid and including cam tracks, the fingers having rollers riding on said cam tracks.

25. In a machine of the character described, a wheel provided with substantially radial guide slots in one face thereof, fingers ided in said slots, a member engaged over e face of said wheel and over the fingers guided in said slots, a cam carried by said member and operating on the fingers and means for shifting the cam supporting member relative to the finger guidi wheel.

26. In a machine of the c aractcr described, a slat conve 'ng roll, spacing and feeding fingers for a vancin slots in spaced relation tosaid roll, said fee ing fingers and roll bein relatively adjustable and means for driving both the same irrespective of their relative adjustment.

27. In a machine of the character described, a slat conveying roll, a wheel provided with projecting ngers for fee ing ide-ways, projecting fin rs ort and cam III 

